Inspired to be blameless sons.
Having seen the great responsibility of personal inspiration, as brought out in the previous verses, we have next to notice what the inspiration contemplates. It is, in fact, to produce such a sense of sonship in all hearts as will ensure unity of spirit, blamelessness of life, and consequent usefulness in the world. Paul wished the Philippian Christians to be of use to their heathen neighbors; unless they were so, he would regard himself as having run in vain; he consequently is in great anxiety that they should walk worthily, which will be his greatest joy. Here we may note—
I. THE POSITION OF CHRISTIANS. (Philippians 2:15.) The Philippians were "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation," and so shall Christians be to the end of this dispensation. We may expect to be surrounded by the crooked and the perverse. It may not be a very comfortable position to occupy, but it is a very important and ought to be a very useful one. It is, in fact, to furnish opportunities for promoting the faith that this arrangement obtains. We often think that it would be happier to be translated at once where "the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest;" but it would, not be better for us. Our best position is to have opportunities of benefiting others.
II. GOD INSPIRES US TO BE UNCOMPLAINING AND BLAMELESS SONS. (Verses 14, 15.) This is the way he would have us to work out our own salvation. We are to "do all things without murmurings and disputiugs." We are not to be complaining like Israel in the wilderness, nor at war among ourselves. We are besides to be the blameless and harmless sons of God. The pure life we lead is to be such as to forbid rebuke from a perverse world. In this way we shall be "lights," for through us the light of truth, the light of "the Word of life," shall be held forth before those who are in darkness, that they too may he redeemed. It is an inspiration, consequently, for service, an inspiration towards usefulness, which God gives. It carries the individual clear of selfish considerations and makes him useful among men. It is the inspiration of public spirit.
III. PAUL EXPECTS TO REJOICE IN THE DAY OF CHRIST THAT HE HAS NOT RUN IN VAIN BECAUSE OF THE USEFULNESS OF HIS PHILIPPIAN CONVERTS. (Verse 16.) The present life, in Paul's regard, is to be joyfully reviewed in the day of Christ, that is, the day of judgment. The thought and memory of the usefulness of the Philippians wilt constitute an intense delight to his great soul. He will in such a case assure himself that he has not run in vain. It must have been a great incentive to them to think that their consistent life would be a joy to the glorified apostle. And would it not be well for Christians to carry this thought with them? They are adding by their blameless and consistent lives to the joy of the heavenly world, adding a thrill to the hearts of angels and of the redeemed from among men and to the heart of the Lord himself.
IV. PAUL'S POSSIBLE MARTYRDOM WILL NOT DIMINISH BUT INCREASE THIS JOY. (Verses 17, 18.) Paul knew as a prisoner in Rome that his martyrdom was possible. He may not, indeed, have deemed it probable at this period, for if this Epistle be, as Bishop Lightfoot thinks, the first of the Epistles of the captivity, it is likely that he enjoyed a little season of release before his final apprehension and martyrdom. And Paul knew that the possibility of his death threw a shadow over the minds of his converts. In his beautiful consideration for them, therefore, he tells them that he can rejoice even should his martyrdom be as a drink offering upon their service and sacrifice of faith. He calls upon them to rejoice along with him in prospect even of possible martyrdom. It will not mar the joy, but will be owned of God in multiplying it. Paul is thus a sublime example, after Jesus his Lord, of consideration for others. He does not mourn over his lot as a possible martyr, and crave their sympathy; but for their sakes he rejoices over it and asks their congratulation. Grace turns the apparent evil into real good; and joy is promoted at Philippi as well as Rome by what the world thinks should only create sorrow. Paul is thus an inspired and blameless son himself, and a pattern to his people at Philippi. We have thus set before us the magnificent public spirit which the gospel fosters. It enables us to look away from our own things to the things of others, and it brings us to make even misfortune a tributary to spiritual joy. May we follow after' the things that make for peace and tend to the edification of others!—R.M.E.